MADRAS, OR -- The City of Madras is raising money to build a splash fun zone at Sahalee Park, near downtown. Public Works Coordinator Michele Quinn says a splash pad was planned when the park was built, but funding was far from available for the feature. She tells KBND News, "When they did the Parks Master Plan back in 2004, part of that is they actually go out into the public and ask 'What would you like?' and that was one of the things: something for the community, just to give the kids something to do during the summer. Parents don't have to worry about what it costs; they can take them and they can play, and get some exercise, and get outside."

According to Quinn, the project started to move forward again recently, with a large donation from Keith Manufacturing and the Madras-based nonprofit The Bean Foundation, "The spray park is one of the last goals. It has been in the works for a long time. I know they looked at it several years ago and the funding wasn't there, and we didn't have the backing; and the Bean Foundation said, 'Hey, if we put up some money, could you guys help us and we get it built?' and that started us back into thinking that maybe we could get it built."

Central Oregon Community College is also working on a plan to help with the fundraising effort as a learning opportunity for students. The city of Madras Facebook Page also includes a link to a GoFundMe page, for private donations. And, Quinn hopes the rest of the $250,000 needed will come from a state grant.

The splash park could be completed by Summer 2019.

UPDATE 02/01/08 -- As part of a course taught by Assistant Professor of Speech Communication, Mike Artus, COCC students must do a service learning project during the term out in the local community. They choose the group they want to work with and then, based on the needs of that organization, they work as a small group. This current group of students has chosen to partner up with the City of Madras and support their efforts in raising funds and awareness for the Sahalee Splash Park.